The Ultimate Marathon: Longest Video Game Playthroughs
Hey gaming fanatics! Ever wondered what the longest video game to beat actually is? We're diving deep into the world of epic gaming adventures, exploring titles that demand dedication, stamina, and a whole lot of free time. Forget speedruns; we're talking about the games that stretch your gaming experience into the hundreds – or even thousands – of hours. Get ready to have your minds blown, guys, because some of these time commitments are absolutely insane! Let's get started with our exploration of the longest video games to complete.
Unveiling the Titans: The Longest Video Games
So, what exactly is the longest video game out there? Well, that depends on how you define 'complete.' Are we talking about the main story, side quests, achievements, or a full 100% completion run? The definition greatly influences the amount of time required. Typically, the games that top the charts are massive open-world RPGs (Role-Playing Games) and MMOs (Massively Multiplayer Online games). These games offer a huge amount of content to explore, from detailed stories and intricate characters to endless quests and challenges. It is worth noting, though, that some games are designed with an end goal in mind, some games, especially MMOs, have endless content, and the definition of completion is completely subjective. In this article, we'll try to focus on games with a definite end goal, even if it takes hundreds of hours to reach it. When we talk about how long it takes to complete a game, we're talking about the average time it takes a player to finish the game, not the absolute longest time someone has taken. Now, let's explore some of the biggest time sinks in gaming. Prepare yourselves, because this list is going to be mind-boggling for most of us!
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: This isn't just a game; it's a way of life! With its expansive world, countless quests, and the freedom to forge your own destiny, Skyrim is a true behemoth. A standard playthrough of the main story and a few side quests can easily take 60-80 hours. But if you're a completionist, wanting to experience every single dungeon, quest, and crafting opportunity, then you're looking at hundreds of hours. Many players have sunk well over a thousand hours into this game, still discovering new things even after all this time. The modding community keeps it fresh, and the sheer replayability makes it a constant entry in the longest video games list. Who hasn't spent hours just wandering around the gorgeous landscapes of Skyrim, getting lost in the stories? Honestly, it's a testament to how fun the game is, and it's also a major time commitment. If you are one of those players that gets easily distracted (like most of us) then you are in for an amazing journey. The game is so fun that it might even feel shorter than it actually is.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: Another massive open-world RPG, The Witcher 3, is known for its incredible story, detailed world, and engaging characters. Following Geralt of Rivia on his monster-hunting adventures will easily take you 100+ hours. The main quest is quite lengthy, but the real time-suck comes from the many side quests and exploration opportunities. Each side quest feels like a mini-story in itself, making it hard to skip any of them. If you add in the expansions, which bring in additional story content, new areas, and new gameplay mechanics, then you are looking at hundreds of hours to beat the game. The game is so detailed, and the developers put so much love into it, that you won't even realize how long you have been playing. If you love the game enough, you could probably spend a lifetime in its world, but even just finishing the main campaign and a decent number of side quests can take an insane amount of time.
Red Dead Redemption 2: Rockstar Games is known for its huge open worlds, and Red Dead Redemption 2 is no exception. This prequel to the original Red Dead Redemption is a massive undertaking, telling an epic story of outlaws in the dying days of the Wild West. You'll spend hours just riding through the stunning landscapes, hunting, fishing, and interacting with the world. Completing the main story will take you a good 50-60 hours, but with all the side quests, challenges, and exploration, you can easily sink well over 150 hours into it. The level of detail in this game is insane, and you really feel immersed in its world. You'll be making decisions that can affect the story, hunting animals, getting into shootouts, and even playing some poker. It really is an incredible game, and if you haven't played it yet, you absolutely need to. It's a massive time commitment, but you'll have an unforgettable experience. This title is a strong contender on any list of the longest video games to complete. And yes, a lot of people just wander around the game and have fun.
The MMO Monsters: Endless Adventures
MMOs are designed to keep you playing forever. With constant updates, new content, and the social aspects of playing with other people, these games can easily consume thousands of hours of your life. While there isn't necessarily an